Both Theaters Open, a Slew of Library Programs, and More

We've got plays at both theaters this weekend! And during the day Saturday, THREE FREE events for kids at the library. I'll be singing songs welcoming May at the Friends of the Library Open House at 1 pm, so stop by. It's FREE.

Friday, May 4, 5-7 pm at Gotwals Elementary School (Swede and Oak). Fire Safety Night. Games, raffles, food, and face painting. Proceeds benefit Fire Safety in Norristown (so I assume it's not a free event).

Friday, 8 pm, at Centre Theater (208 Dekalb), King of Prussia Players opens "Avenue Q." This weekend's shows are Saturday at 2 pm and 8 pm and Sunday at 2 pm. The show will run weekends through May 19, and is for adults only. Tickets at this link.

Friday, 8 pm. Peter and the Starcatcher continues at Theatre Horizon (401 Dekalb). Swashbuckling storytellers and musicians use handmade magic and effortless flights of fancy to upend the century-old story of how a brave young girl inspires an orphan boy to become the legendary Peter Pan. Other shows this week: Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday at 3 pm, both limited availability shows, and Monday at 7:30 pm. The show runs through May 20th. Click on this link for the schedule and tickets.

Saturday, May 5, 9 am-4 pm, Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library Youth Services Department. Mother's Day Card Craft. Come in and make a special card for the mothers and grandmothers in your life. For kids in grades K-6. Drop in. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. For info, contact 610-278-5100 x205.

Saturday, 11 am, Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library. Peter Pan Workshop for kids grades 1-6. Presented by Theatre Horizon.

Saturday, 1-4 pm at the Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library (1001 Powell). The Friends of the Library invite you to a FREE Open House. Refreshments, door prizes, and entertainment by the Norristown Jazz Band (1 pm), May Revelers (2 pm) and Grupo de Danza Nuevo Mexico dancers (3 pm). You can also take a Hidden Library tour at 2:30 pm. High school students will be on hand to read aloud to small children. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Come find out how the Friends support your library.

Saturday, 1-3 pm at Community Arts Norristown (506 Haws). Mother's Day Pottery Workshop. Make your mom a beautiful gift of pottery for Mother's Day with Daisy Chapman. $30, includes one child and one adult; additional children are $15 each. For info and to register, contact Kim O'Neill 610-272-1545, kim@communityartsnorristown.org.

Saturday, noon-11 pm, Five Saints Distilling (Green and Main). Cinco De Derby. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo while you watch the Kentucky Derby on the big screen. Fancy Hat Contest. Food by Butler catering. Music by Brian Horoho from 7 pm on. No cover.

Sunday, 9:30-10:30 am, Christ Church UCC (1003 W Marshall). Pancake Breakfast. Help support Christ Church UCC participate in a mission trip with the Appalachia Service Project this coming summer. $5 adults, $3 children. Please call or email the office to reserve your tickets. 610-275-3092 or church@uccchristchurch.org.

Tuesday and Thursday nights through June 7, 6-8:30 pm, Montco OIC (1101 Arch). Almost Home program, by Habitat for Humanity. FREE finanancial empowerment seminars. This began on May 1, but I only got the into this week. Free dinner and childcare provided. For info and to sign up, visit their website  or contact 610-278-7710 x132, cfarrell@habitatmontdelco.org.

Tuesday, 7 pm, Municipal Hall. Planning Commission meeting.

Wednesday, 11 am-2 pm, Montco Senior Adult Activities Center (536 George). Health and Human Services Fair. Not just for seniors. Get help with LIHEAP, rent rebate, food stamps, medical assistance, and more. Presented by Senator Daylin Leach and Montco SAAC.

Wednesday, 1-3:30 pm, Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library Board Room. Mary's Matinee. Enjoy a FREE movie the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. This showing: "Lady Bird." Drop in. Contact Mary Motta, 610-278-5100 x111, mmotta@mclinc.org.

Wednesday, 5-7 pm, Norristown Library. My Life Montco meeting (for youth ages 13-23, with mental health, substance abuse or other challenges). Speaker, entertainment. FREE. Dinner provided.

Thursday, 9-10:30 am. Human Service Bldg (1430 Dekalb), Community Room. ICN Breakfast with the County Commisioners and PA State Rep, Matt Bradford. RSVP required to Vivian Schorle, icn@icnconnections.org.

Next Saturday, 10 am-2 pm, parking lot at Dekalb and Airy. FREE shredding event. Place all documents to be shredded in paper bags. For info, 1-866-389-5654. (Question from Elena: where does one get paper bags these days?)

Next Saturday, 10 am-noon, New Life Internet Café, 19 W. Marshall. Photo ID clinic.

Next Saturday, 11 am-1 pm, Community Arts Norristown (506 Haws). Mother's Day Brunch: Family Workshop. Families that cook together have fun together. Learn to make a delicious brunch with chef Kristin Stitz. Please call 610-272-1545 for info and to register. $30, includes one child and one adult; additional children are $15 each.

FREE Fair, Halloween Happenings, and Other FUN

I think October in Norristown has had more activities than the entire summer combined. You'll find a variety of kids' and adult events this week, and next weekend on the lead-up to Halloween. And many are FREE.

Friday, October 20, 5:30-7 pm, Musselman Learning Center, 1020 Sandy Hill Rd. Fire Safety Fair. FREE and open to all.

Friday, 5-6 pm at Greater Norristown PAL (340 Harding Blvd). Tell It Like It Is. New program for Teen Girls (13+). Open discussion. Bring a friend.



Friday, doors open 5:45 pm at First Presbyterian Church (Airy & Dekalb). Norristown Rec presents Movie Night. Kung Fu Panda 3. FREE. Also an open gym and craft room.

Friday, 8 pm at Theatre Horizon (401 Dekalb). "2.5 Minute Ride" continues (runs through Oct 29). Other performances this week: Saturday at 3 and 8 pm, Sunday at 3 pm, Monday at 7:30 pm, Thursday at 8 pm. Full schedule and tickets at this link.

Saturday, Noon-7 pm at St. Patrick's Church Hall (in the basement, enter to left of church at 714 Dekalb St.) Soul Food Day. The Davis Family will cater a special fundraiser for St Pat's Church. $14 per person gets you a choice of fried or baked chicken, fried fish or barbecued spare ribs, choice of sides: Mac and cheese or potato salad; collards or string beans or sweet potatoes. Variety of pies and cakes for dessert. BYOB. No reservations, just stop by.

Saturday, 3-5 pm at Elmwood Park Zoo's Pavillion. Climate change Is Not A Myth. PennEnvironment will show how climate change is effecting our community and what you can do about it. FREE admission. For info, contact Angelique Hinton, 610-952-2282, Angeliquehinton03@gmail.com.

Saturday starting at 7 pm at Diva's Kitchen (9 W Main). Pre-Halloween New Wave Show. $10 for admission and finger food. BYOB. For info, email philadu8007@gmail.com or call 610-202-5064.

Saturday, 8 pm-midnight at Five Saints Distillery (E Main and Green Sts.). Jazz 180 will perform.

Tuesday, 5-7 pm at the Carver Center. Expungement Clinic hosted by Senator Daylin Leach and LegalAid of Southeastern PA. To attend, you must RSVP to chad.hoffmann@pasenate.com or call 610-768-4200.

Tuesday 6-8 pm, Historical Society of Montco (1654 Dekalb). Understanding Style in Early America. New workshop will take a look at various styles in the arts and architecture of early America. $10 Members/$15 Nonmembers. Contact Barry Rauhauser, 610-272-0297, contact@hsmcpa.org.

Tuesday, 7 pm, Zoning Board Hearing at Municipal Hall. Agenda at this link.

Wednesday, 4:30-6 pm at Norristown Library, Spooky Scary Slime Making. For ages 10+. Learn how to make your own safe slime for Halloween.

Wednesday, 4:30-6:30 pm at First Presbyterian Church (Airy and Delkalb). Volunteer Tutor Orientation. Find out how to become a tutor for an adult needing help with reading, writing, math, GED prep or English as a Second Language (ESL). Free 1.5 hour Orientation offered by the Literacy Council of Norristown. To register, call (610-292-8515) or visit our website: www.LcnLit.org. Contact Theresa Oliver, 610-292-8515, executive.director@lcnlit.org.

Thursday, 11 am-2:30 pm on East Main in front of the Courthouse. LAST DAY for the Norristown Farmers Market this year. Fall seasonal veggies and apples, farm fresh, plus baked goods.

Next Saturday, October 28, 10 am-noon, new Life Internet Cafe (19 W Marshall). Photo ID Clinic. If you need a photo ID, bring any of the following: SS Car, old photo ID, driver license, military ID, marriage or divorce papers, passport, school ID, birth certificate, naturalization/ citizenship papers. Also bring proof of residence. Info at 610-945-6398.

Next Saturday, 10 am-2 pm, Norristown Police Department, 235 E Airy, Take Back Day. Make your home safer by cleaning out your medicine cabinets and dropping off unwanted or expired prescription and over-the-counter medicines.

Next Saturday, 11 am-5 pm at Selma Mansion (1301 W Airy). 1st Annual Psychic Fair. Variety of talented readers, healers and workshops available. Tickets are $10 at the door, which includes attendance to all workshops offered during the day. Separate charges for all readers, healers and other vendors. Vendors fee for tables, $20 (supply your own table). Space is limited for this event, and all proceeds will go directly to the preservation of Selma Mansion.

Next Saturday, 2-5 pm at Selma Mansion (1301 W Airy). Bring your kids Trick or Treating at Selma. FREE admission. Costume Contest at 3 pm. Cheap kids games (25 cents/ticket). Benefits the upkeep of Selma Mansion.

Next Saturday, 3-6 pm at Martin Luther King Park (Oak St). Fall Festival. FREE for kids. Games, food, raffles, lots of candy. Positive costumes allowed.